Rain slows traffic at Musikfest

10-day festival concludes Sunday with light crowds

August 16, 2010|By Arlene Martínez, OF THE MORNING CALL

It wasn't the polka tent, the line for beer or the vendor selling giant turkey legs. No, for much of Sunday the most popular place at Musikfest was underneath storefront awnings or tucked in covered spaces between buildings.

Oh, how ArtsQuest President Jeff Parks hates when it rains during the 10-day free festival the nonprofit he runs puts together every summer. And particularly this year, when a record-setting opening weekend puttered out to what looks to be a so-so overall performance.

"I won't say it's a terrible year but I won't say it's a great year," said Parks on Sunday afternoon, as the rain at last began to slow and people started arriving for Musikfest's closing festivities. "We're certainly not going to have a record year overall."

While rain deterred many from going to Musikfest on its final day, it wasn't stopping Sheila and John Basset, who stood drenched with their four grandsons and the boys' friend on Main Street. The seven-some came from Stroudsburg at 10 a.m., two hours before the festival even started. Oops. But no matter, once it started they set out to eat, candied apples and funnel cakes, played games at the mobile PlayStation tent and stopped by at the Air Guard's Rise to the Challenge Tour.

"I thought, what a fun thing to bring the boys," said Sheila, even if she was a bit disappointed one of her favorite acts from Friday — the man playing the massive bronze bells, or carillon — wasn't playing. "Bethlehem's a neat town just in general."

To get out of the rain, people who might otherwise have been walking Bethlehem's streets ducked into stores for food and shopping.

Easton residents Laurie Caslake, her husband, John Freeman, their daughter, Autumn Caslake, 11, and her friend Matt Solliday, 11, popped into Wired Gallery and Café for hot chocolate and coffee. All soaking wet, the four settled into a game of dominoes as the heaviest of the rain fell.

"I'm just comfortable here," said Autumn, and her dad agreed.

"We might spend the entire day here at Wired," said John.

Not really though, the family was planning on sticking around for the evening's fireworks, which were scheduled rain or shine.

This is the second year Sandra Cooke has volunteered at Musikfest. But she comes pretty much every day anyway to hear the music and soak in the atmosphere.

"I enjoy it even with the rain," said Cooke, of Easton.

Parks said food and drink sales were down because more people were bringing their own, even though that's against the festival rules. He blamed in part The Morning Call's On The Cheap column for encouraging people to save money by sneaking in their own stuff.

"I do understand people are on a limited budget but people need to understand if you want to have the availability [of so many free musical acts], there needs to be expenditures," said Parks.

But still, Parks said the festival was well-received, pointing to the several sold-out shows and well-attended free acts. And despite a shaky economy, sponsorship levels were higher this year than in 2009, he said. Membership is also at record levels.

Parks is already looking forward to next year, when the new SteelStacks will be open in south Bethlehem and there will be entertainment on both sides of Lehigh River.

"We're in an environment of change," said Parks. "We're excited about it."

Musikfest's 25th anniversary two years ago set the record, with 1.15 million people dropping by and spending nearly $3.8 million on food and drinks. Final figures for this year will be released later this week, said Parks.